Carpenter s square



(No Model.)

L. LOW.

GARRENTERS SQUARE.

Patented-` Aug. 16, 1881.

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WITNESSES lUnrTnn STATES PATENT .Orricnr LESTER LOW, OF RYEGATE, VERMONT.v

CARPENTER-S SQUARE.

SFECIFICA'IION forming part of Letters Patent No. 245,844, dated August 16, 1881. Appnation nica April so, issn. (Nomodi.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LESTER LOW, of Ryegate, in the county of Caledonia and State of Vermont,.have invented a new and useful Improvement in Squares 5 and l do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and eX- act description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this speciiication, in which- Figure l is a face view of my improved square. Fig. 2 is an edge view of a hand tool or marker. Fig. 3is a plan view of the same, and Fig. 4 is a plan view of another form of marker.

My invention relates to improvements in squares; and it consists, first, of a square provided with crenelations or notches along one or more of its edges, arranged to coincidewith its graduations.

My invention further consists of a square provided with crenelations along one or more of its edges, arranged coincidently with its graduations, and having their bases formed angular] y.

My invention further consists ot' a square provided with a series of diamond or lozenge shaped holes having one ot' their angles arranged coincidenti y with its graduations.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents a square having its tongue or short arm a at right angles to its main arm b, an d both graduated in the usual manner.

c represents a series of crenelations or notches made on the inner edgeot' the tongue a, which notches are arranged so as to coincide with the graduations on the inner edge ofthe tongue, and are enlarged somewhat at their outer ends for the ready insertion of a marking awl or pencil to lay ott' a mortise, and made angular at their bases, the vertex of the angle in the base ot' each notch coinciding with one of the graduations in the tongue ofthe square, whereby a marking awl or pencil can readily be inserted in a notch for laying oft' a mortise, and the point of the marker will be in direct line or coincident with a graduation of the tongue.

d represents a series ot' crenclations or notches, made preferably on the outer edge of the main arm, which are employed for marking the length of tenons.

e e represent a series of diamond or lozenge shaped holes, made preferably in the body or head of the main arm of the square, for the purpose of making pin-holes on the full side of a mortise, as on tenons.

Byv the employment of a square constructed as above described a mortise or tenon can be laid off with great rapidity and accuracy, as follows: Take the main arm of the square in the left hand, with the tongue of the square from you, and after measuring the length of the desired mortise place the main arm of the square against the side of the piece of timber in the face of which the mortise is to be laid ont and lower the end of the main arm nearest you, so that it will be inclined and rest against the side face of the piece of timber, the tongue of the squareresting across the face of the timber where the mortise is to be made, and then with an awl or marking-pencil in the right hand inserted in the notch designating the distance from the outer edge of the timber to one side of the mortise by drawing the square lengthwise of the timber and toward you with the left hand, the awl being held in the notch, one side of the mortise is laid ont. In like manner, the square having been moved to its original position and the awl having been moved into the notch indicating the width of the mortise, the square is again drawn lengthwise ot' the timber and the other longitudinal line ot' the mortise laid ofi'. The central longitudinal line of the mortise is marked in the same manner.

By this construction mortises and tenons may be laid oft' with great ease overhead, or in any position of the piece of timber to be mortised or tenoned, or when the light is dim. The crenelatious in the square may be ot` any number. The notches on the outer side ofthe main arm of the square for marking off, in like manner to the mortises, brace, and other tenons, are equally convenient, and may be ot' any number and extend any desired distance along the outer edge of the square, the notches e0- inciding with the graduations on the main arm of the square.

The square may be employed for marking timber that is icy, cross-grained, or knotty, and also for marking marble, granite, and generally for all purposes for which marks are made by the use of a square.

I have described above the method of laying oft mortises and tenons with my square and an ordinary awl or pencil; but the operation is greatly facilitated and the laying off accomplished in much less time by the employment of a three-pronged awl having its central tine retractible or capable of being semi-rotated, so as not to come in contact with the timber for laying ott' tenons, the three tines being placed in notches in the square after the length of the mortise is measured, and the operation of laying off the mortise being the same as described With one awl. By this construction the outside and central lines of the mortise are all made at one operation with great facility, quickness, and accuracy.

The three-pron ged awl having a retractible central tine I make in different forms. One form consists of three curved tines, the outer tines secured to a cross-head, and the central tine screw-threaded at its upper end and passing througha screw-threaded hole in the head, and secured at its outer end to a handle, whereby the curved central tine can be raised from contact With the timberor semi-rotated, so as not to touch the timber in laying oil' tenons. Another form consists of a plate or casting, g, having a hook, h, on its outer edge adapted to clasp the outer edge of the tongue ofthe square. The awls t' are inserted in notches in the rear face of the plate g, andin corresponding notches in the handle 7c, the handle and plate g being bolted together. The central marker is provided with a button, j, at its upper end, and the marker is held up by a spring, l, so as not to mark in laying offtenons.

fn, may also be inserted in the hook h for making a single mark.

I am aware that a square having each limb thereof provided with perforations at regular intervals of lineal measure has heretofore been employed in connection with a marker or seriber,77 and I am also aware that a plaitinggage has heretofore been provided with notches each terminating in a circular recess, and I therefore lay no claim to such inventions.

What I claim as my invention isl. A square provided with crenelations or notches along its edges, arranged coincidently with its graduations,substanti'all y as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. A square provided with erenelations or notches along its edges, arranged coincidently with its graduations, and having their bases formed an gularl y.

3. A square provided with a series of diamond or lozenge shaped holes, each having one. of its angles arranged eoincidently with one oi' its graduations, substantially as described.

LESTER LOW.

Witnesses: l

JEFFERSON RENFREW, CLARENCE E. WELCH.

In laying ott' 35 Amortises the button is pressed down. An awl, 

